Blackburn man plunged to his death with picture of son

A MAN who fell from the window of a Salvation Army hostel in Blackburn intended to take his own life, an inquest heard.

Father-of-one Anthony Peter Goldie, know as Tony, was staying at Bramwell House hostel, in Heaton Street, Blackburn, when he fell from an upstairs window on November 19 last year.

The 35-year-old unemployed floor fitter had barricaded himself in a room before his death, and suffered a catastrophic head injury in the fall.

The inquest at Blackburn coroner’s court was told that Mr Goldie had a history of mental health problems and drug abuse, and was under the care of a number of services when he died.

Witnesses from various agencies who had come into contact with Mr Goldie gave evidence, including probation, doctors and support staff from drug services and mental health services, representatives from housing association Adullam Homes, and staff from the Salvation Army hostel where he died.

The hearing was told that Mr Goldie had in the past self-harmed, exhibited paranoia, and attempted to take his own life.

He had also abused a number of prescription an illicit drugs for several years, including heroin, methadone, amphetamines, and crack cocaine.

Several witnesses told the hearing that Mr Goldie was not allowed to see his son, and that this was a cause of great upset to him.

Mr Goldie was found with a photograph of the young boy on his person when he died.

The inquest also heard that Mr Goldie was distressed about living in temporary accommodation, but was on his way to securing his own flat through Adullam Homes.

Blackburn coroner Michael Singleton criticised the fact that no one single person had been responsible for Mr Goldie’s care in the months leading up to his death.

He said: “I do not in any way underestimate the difficulty and complexity of providing mental health care, and the need to bring in expertise from a number of fields.

“But I am struck by the sheer number of people and organisations involved from different sectors, and the number of different people within those organisations that got involved.

“It seems to me, as a non-professional in the field, that what is needed is continuity and consistency.”

Members of Mr Goldie’s family were present throughout the two-day hearing.

Speaking after the inquest, brother-in-law Colin Saward said: “What we want beyond everything else is for other families not to be let down in the way that we believe Tony was let down.

“I think there were opportunities that were missed.

“Tony was a guy who on a good day was fun, loving, considerate, and helpful.

“He did have issues that could take control of his life, but we firmly believe that in the last four or five months he was making progress of his own will towards getting better.”